Proposed Rule2021-21934
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders
Primary source
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Published
October 8, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the incorrect installation of an axle connecting the main landing gear (MLG) to the center steel frame. This proposed AD would require inspecting the MLG installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 193 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56225-56227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21934]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; Project Identifier 2019-CE-032-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders. This proposed AD was
prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes
the unsafe condition as the incorrect installation of an axle
connecting the main landing gear (MLG) to the center steel frame. This
proposed AD would require inspecting the MLG installation. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November
22, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact STEMME AG,
Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, Germany; phone: + 49
(0) 3341 3612-0, fax: + 49 (0) 3341 3612-30; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#83e2eaf1f4ecf1f7ebeaede6f0f0c3f0f7e6eeeee6ade7e6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d3b2baa1a4bca1a7bbbabdb6a0a093a0a7b6bebeb6fdb7b6">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://www.stemme.com">https://www.stemme.com</a>. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816)
329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#670d0e0a491512130f0215010815032701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="caa0a3a7e4b8bfbea2afb8aca5b8ae8aacababe4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; Project Identifier
2019-CE-032-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2019-0130-E, dated June 7, 2019 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on Stemme AG Model Stemme
S 12 gliders. The MCAI states:
Following a production acceptance flight, the pilot noticed that
the aeroplane was in a banked position on the ground. Further
examination determined that an axle, connecting the main landing
gear (MLG) leg to the centre steel frame of the aeroplane, had
[[Page 56226]]
been installed incorrectly. Other S12 aeroplanes may also be
affected by this installation error.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
damage to the aeroplane, possibly resulting in injury to occupants.
To address this unsafe condition, Stemme issued the SB [service
bulletin] to provide inspection instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the MLG installation and, depending on findings,
the accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0842.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Stemme Service Bulletin No. P062-980037, Revision
00, dated June 5, 2019 (SB P062-980037). The service information
specifies inspecting and repairing, if necessary, the MLG leg
connection to the center steel frame. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require inspecting the MLG installation and,
depending on the findings, further inspection of the components,
surrounding structure, and systems for damage and repair.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
SB P062-980037 allows the pilot/owner to perform the initial
inspection for correct installation, and this proposed AD would not. SB
P062-980037 specifies contacting Stemme AG for certain repair
instructions, while this proposed AD would require repair using a
method approved by the FAA or EASA.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 11 gliders of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that it would
take 0.5 work hour per glider to inspect the MLG installation. The
average labor rate is $85 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
FAA estimates the cost to inspect the MLG installation on U.S.
operators to be $467.50, or $42.50 per glider.
In addition, the FAA estimates that further inspection for damage
of an improperly installed MLG would take about 4 work-hours costing
$340 per glider. If any damage is found during this MLG inspection, it
may vary considerably from glider to glider, and the FAA has no way of
estimating a repair cost.
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Stemme AG: Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; Project Identifier 2019-CE-032-
AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 22, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders, serial
numbers 12-002 through 12-026, inclusive, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as incorrect
installation of an axle connecting the main landing gear (MLG) to
the center steel frame of the glider. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent failure of the MLG. The unsafe condition, if not addressed,
could result in damage to the glider and possible injury to
occupants.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
visually inspect the MLG
[[Page 56227]]
left-hand and right-hand legs for proper installation as depicted in
Figure 3 of Stemme Service Bulletin No. P062-980037, Revision 00,
dated June 5, 2019 (SB P062-980037).
(2) If the MLG installation is not as depicted in Figure 3 of SB
P062-980037, before further flight, inspect the MLG installation for
damage in accordance with the Actions section, Action 2, in SB P062-
980037, except you are not required to contact Stemme if there is
damage. Instead, repair any damage using a method approved by the
FAA or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD or
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ab9286eafdf886eae2f9869c989b86eae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="21180c6077720c6068730c1612110c606c6e62614740400f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#204a494d0e525554484552464f5244604641410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f8929195d68a8d8c909d8a9e978a9cb89e9999d69f978e">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to EASA AD 2019-0130-E, dated June 7, 2019, for more
information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating it in Docket No.
FAA-2021-0842.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
STEMME AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg,
Germany; phone: +49 (0) 3341 3612-0, fax: +49 (0) 3341 3612-30;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4b5bda6a3bba6a0bcbdbab1a7a794a7a0b1b9b9b1fab0b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="02636b70756d70766a6b6c677171427176676f6f672c6667">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="https://www.stemme.com">https://www.stemme.com</a>. You
may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued on September 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21934 Filed 10-7-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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